Monthly Archives: July 2014

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Remember last week when we reported that Blake Griffin removed himself from Team USA’s national team that was to compete in the FIBA World Cup? At the time, Griffin said he wanted to focus on the upcoming season with the Clippers.

Well, ESPN.com – citing sources – on Monday reported that Griffin was actually advised by doctors to avoid international competition during the summer so he can give a small fracture in his back more time to heal ahead of the 2014-15 NBA campaign.

Live updates from the courtroom Monday, July 28, as closing arguments begin in the case to determine whether Shelly Sterling has the right to sell the Los Angeles Clippers. Donald Sterling argues that she doesn’t.

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Power forward Blake Griffin on Thursday announced he is pulling himself off Team USA and will not play with the national team this summer. He was one of 19 players selected to the roster; the USA World Cup team will be chosen from that roster.

“I appreciate the invitation to play for Team USA this summer,” Griffin said. “It is a special opportunity any time you have a chance to represent your country, and I was honored to be included. However, right now I want to focus and dedicate 100 percent of my energy on improving and preparing for the upcoming season with the Clippers.”

Embattled Clippers owner Donald Sterling filed a civil lawsuit against the NBA and his wife Shelly on Tuesday, alleging fraud and asserting himself as the sole shareholder in the team he has owned since 1981.

Donald had already filed a federal lawsuit against the league in June seeking antitrust damages, and is currently embroiled in a probate trial with Shelly Sterling that could decide whether or not she had the right to sell the team for $2 billion.

Live updates from reporter Jack Wang at the unpredictable trial to determine whether Shelly Sterling has the legal right to sell the Los Angeles Clippers. Trial is scheduled to resume at 8:30 a.m., Monday, July 21. Follow here:

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The Clippers have re-signed veteran post Glen “Big Baby” Davis to a one-year contract for the veterans’ minimum of $1.2 million, according to league sources.

Davis, who is 6-foot-9 and about 290 pounds, came to the Clippers this past season from the Orlando Magic. He played the first four years of his career for the Boston Celtics under current Clippers coach Doc Rivers.

Davis, 28, played in 23 regular-season games for the Clippers in 2013-14. He averaged 4.2 points and 3.0 rebounds. He has career scoring and rebounding averages of 8.7 and 4.7, respectively.

With the Clippers signing of free agent Jordan Farmar, who spent last season with city rival the Los Angeles Lakers (including a stint in 2006-10), the obvious was there: Farmar would be staying in L.A., but in a different uniform.

But Farmar’s choice to stay close to home went deeper then leaving a rebuilding team to a legitimate contender.

“It’s huge, I mean Los Angeles is really special to me. I get a chance to live in my house and be around my friends and family and see my kids grow up,” said Farmar, who went to Taft and UCLA. “Those are all the things that are important to me outside of basketball.”

The Clippers were able to capitalize on the Lakers focusing their attention on luring superstar free agents LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony to L.A.

“It would’ve been an easy decision if the Lakers said, ‘We want to make you a point guard and offer you ‘X, Y and Z and we would love to have you here,’” Farmar told the L.A. Daily News’ Mark Medina. “But those weren’t the conversations going back and forth. So it wasn’t a choice for me to make.”

The Lakers’ attention elsewhere coupled with Rivers’ persistence and desire to get Farmar in a Clippers uniform put the contenders, who were two wins away from the Western Conference Finals in the driver’s seat for his services.

“(Doc) was definitely the first person I talked to. I just landed at LAX, my phone started ringing as soon as I got service, he was the first person that called and he kept calling and he was persistent,” said Farmar. “And that was a good feeling to feel wanted and to feel like you were going to be part of something special.”

This season the 27-year-old was plagued by groin and hamstring injuries, costing him 41 games. When he did play Farmar was effective, averaging 10.1 points per game, 4.9 assists and 2.5 rebounds. Farmar fills the hole left by the departure of backup guard Darren Collison, who opted out of his final year with the Clippers and joined the Sacramento Kings.

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